PROMOTER Matt Ford wants full-strength Poole Pirates to take advantage of their upturn in fortunes by completing a second successful raid at Elite League leaders Coventry.

Injury and unavailability prevented Pirates from naming their first-choice one-to-seven in any of their opening eight outings but take a complete septet to the Brandon Stadium tomorrow (7.30pm).

The Bees could be without number one Hans Andersen, who faces a late fitness test after suffering a broken finger and damaged hand in a high-speed spill at Swindon last week.

Poole are the only team to beat Coventry at home this season with Ford keen for his charges to seize the initiative as the battle for supremacy at the summit intensifies.

Ford said: “Coventry are going exceptionally well with strength in all departments, which is a luxury we haven’t been able to enjoy.

“We have still been picking up valuable points on the road and if we can apply ourselves then who knows what might happen.”

Coventry: (from) Hans Andersen, Chris Harris, Danny King, Joonas Kylmakorpi, Stuart Robson, Jason Garritty, James Sarjeant. Team manager: Gary Havelock. 

Poole: (from) Kacper Gomolski, Chris Holder, Maciej Janowski, Dakota North, Dave Watt, Kyle Newman, Paul Starke. Team manager: Neil Middleditch.

  • Pirates reserve Paul Starke top scored with 13 paid 15 from six rides as Premier League club Somerset Rebels thumped Newcastle 51-39 on Friday. 

Starke, who rides at seven at the Oaktree Arena, was on a paid maximum but could not maintain his fine fettle when put forward for the nominated heat. 

Pirates asset Josh Grajczonek weighed in with 10 paid 11 from a heat leader’s position.